Your nonprofit's greatest asset is its people. But in today's competitive workforce, attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional talent requires more than a meaningful mission.
Join the NACC Not-For-Profit Committee for our Annual Breakfast as local nonprofit leaders explore how they are creating workplace cultures that inspire employees to stay, grow, and make a lasting impact. Through an engaging panel discussion, you'll gain practical strategies for recruiting mission-driven talent, fostering employee engagement, developing future leaders, and building organizations where people thrive.
Whether you're an executive director, manager, HR professional, board member, or emerging nonprofit leader, you'll leave with actionable ideas and fresh perspectives to strengthen your team and your organization's impact.
THE PANELMODERATORBrea Hayes360 Youth ServicesDirector of Development
Brea Hayes brings more than 20 years of nonprofit experience and a deep belief in the power of community to create meaningful change. With a background in theater and early work at renowned Chicago institutions such as Lookingglass and Court Theatre, she has long been drawn to the ways storytelling and shared experiences can inspire connection. Brea later directed programs using improv and humor to spark important conversations about interpersonal violence—work that shaped her commitment to advocacy and education. Today, she channels her passion for community, nature, and collaboration into initiatives such as DuPage Nature RX, the LCFS Inclusion Council, and the Naperville Chamber of Commerce. What drives her most is the opportunity to bring people together in support of young people and the trusted adults who help them grow.
PANELIST
Julie Ann KornakBrightSide Theatre
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Julie Ann Kornak is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of BrightSide Theatre, where she blends her lifelong passion for the arts with a strong foundation in nonprofit leadership and human resources. With a BA in Psychology and Sociology and a Theatre minor from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Julie brings a unique interdisciplinary approach to organizational development, talent management, and community engagement.Her career spans over two decades of experience in HR and nonprofit administration, with a focus on building inclusive teams, fostering donor relationships, and driving strategic growth. At BrightSide Theatre, she has helped transform a grassroots initiative into a thriving cultural institution, championing both artistic excellence and operation sustainability.
Trudie Ranson, Ph.D.Indian Prairie Educational FoundationExecutive Director
Dr. Trudie Ranson serves as the Executive Director of the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF), where she leads the organization's efforts to strengthen educational opportunities for more than 26,000 students across Indian Prairie School District 204. With more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Dr. Ranson has built a career centered on developing mission-driven teams, cultivating community partnerships, and creating programs that improve student success and well-being.
Under her leadership, IPEF has expanded its impact through innovative fundraising initiatives, strategic partnerships, and a strong focus on organizational sustainability. She is passionate about fostering a workplace culture where employees and volunteers feel valued, empowered, and connected to the mission. Dr. Ranson believes that investing in people is the key to building resilient nonprofit organizations and developing the next generation of nonprofit leaders.PANELISTAmy PlummerIllinois YMCA Youth and GovernmentPresident & CEO
As President & CEO of Illinois YMCA Youth & Government, Amy leads large-scale, mission-driven convenings that bring together 900–1,000 young people, volunteers, and partners each year. Her work sits at the intersection of strategy and execution, from shaping the vision for complex events and building the teams and systems to support them to adapting quickly when circumstances change, all while keeping people and purpose at the center.
HOSTED BY
By registering and attending this event, you grant the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (NACC) the right to use your image and likeness in photographs, videos, and any other media captured during the event. You understand and agree that these materials may be used for promotional purposes, including but not limited to, social media, websites, and other marketing materials produced by or for the NACC.
9:30 AM | Registration Opens
9:30-10:00 AM | Breakfast & Networking
10:00-10:45 AM | Welcome, Opening Remarks & Panel Discussion
10:45 AM | Audience Q&A & Closing
Chamber Members: $55
Community Members: $75
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